Carl Schneider was born in Ralls, Texas in 1928. He attended the Texas Technological college before joining the Army Air Force in 1946. Carl first trained as a turret mechanic before becoming an Aviation Cadet. He graduated from P-51 pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona in 1948. General Schneider flew over 100 combat missions in Korea. In 1951 he returned to Arizona for the first of several tours at Luke Air Force Base. In 1964 he went to Vietnam as one of the first U.S. Air Force officers assigned to the Second Air Division. He helped establish a forward air control/air liaison officer program working and flying with the Republic of Vietnam Air Force.

General Schneider received a Bachelor’s Degree in business management from Arizona State University in 1964 and later a Master’s Degree in international relations from George Washington University. He served as executive officer to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force of financial management and commanded the 3550th Pilot Training Wing and the 314th Air Division in Korea. General Schneider retired from the Air Force in 1978 as the Chief of Staff for the Air Force Logistics Command.